Top Tours

Historic Off the Beaten Path Tour of the Real Istanbul

"Our tour begins at the ancient Hippodrome where thousands of spectators were entertained and kept happy by the chariot races. The historic Sultanhamet Mosque or now known as the Blue Mosque due to its magnificent interior filled with blue Iznik tiles is we will navigate through the labyrinth of streets and passages that are home to more than 3000 shops known as the Grand Bazaar. Make sure you have practiced your bartering skills. After looking Grand Bazaar you will have a chance to rest and you will get to experience traditional Turkish tea or coffee and a popular Turkish pastry called borek all while enjoying the ancient practice of hookah at a favorite local hangout. You will then make your way to one of immediately you feel the energy in the air. Your senses will be filled with bright colors and powerful aromas of the exotic spices that will surround you. Istanbul is a city that has a rich religious history and now is composed of many different religion this church has been the location of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople and is recognized as the spiritual leader of the Eastern Orthodox Religion. Your day concludes with an old world cultural experience like no other city has to offer. Your churches and synagogues that date back to the Byzantine and Ottoman periods. Further to witnessing the local's life thereYou end the tour with a ferry back to Eminonu

Dinner Cruise On The Bosphorus

"Start your evening with pick up from your hotel before heading to the port to embark on our 3.5-hour evening Bosphorus cruise from Istanbul. Watch the sun set over the Bosphorus Strait and cruise under Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge. See Istanbul’s illuminat your experience finishes with drop off at your Istanbul hotel.""""Spend your evening in Istanbul cruising around the beautiful Bosphorus Strait while enjoying dinner and an Anatolian folklore show with belly dancing. Gliding through the water your boat follows a route that includes views of Istanbul’s top attractions – all enchantingly illuminated at night. Cruise past the Blue Mosque and Faith Sultan Mehmet Bridge while eating drinking and enjoying the show!"title=Highlights&1=Enjoy+a+romantic+night+including+dinner&2=Dinner+included&3=Free+drinks+included&4=Hotel+pickup+included

"Istanbul Sightseeing Tour Including Grand Bazaar

"Istanbul Uncovered with Grand Bazaar Suleymaniye Mosque Sultanahmet backstreets and great views of the city""Get the most out of Istanbul in the company of an expert local guide. As we tour Istanbul your guide will point out places to get the best local snacks and coffee as well as show you the main points of interest along the way.You'll start this Istanbul walking tour by exploring Istanbul’s ancient Hippodrome. Following this we’ll make our way to Divanyolu

Pierre Loti Cafe Tips (4)

While not exactly on the beaten path, this coffeehouse shows evidence by the number of outside tables that many do make their way here. On the day that I visited, rain kept all but us diehards away. The coffee and tea are fine plus the house was a good way to escape from the rain outside. The view out over the Golden Horn is spectacular and it was from here that the French novelist and naval officer Pierre Loti looked out to gain his inspiration for his semi-autobiographical “Aziyade”.

In order to get to Pierre Loti Cafe from Eyup Mosque you will pass trough the Eyup Sultan Cemetery. You will see gravestones dating from the Ottoman period can along the road leading up to the top. The cafe is situated at the top of the hill.

You will walk up hill for some time but the view to the Golden Horn and the Istanbul skyline is fully worth the efforts. Actually this is one of the strongest advantages of the Pierre Loti Cafe - the splendid view t the Bosphorus.

The cafe is named after a famous French novelist and naval officer Pierre Loti. Although it is not known for certain, it is assumed that this was the cafe that Pierre Loti visited during his stay in Eyup in 1876.

The cafe itself is very cosy and it is furnished in 19th century style. I guess as an attempt to preserve the authentic atmosphere of these times the waiters still serve in costumes of that period.

Favorite Dish What I had there is only tea, so I can not give ant specific recommendations what should you order. :)))

After visiting Eyüp I walked up to Pierre Loti Cafe, not the nearest and easiest way which I found when I walked down. High on a hill, above a cemetery is Pierre Loti Cafe. It has great views over Istanbul, but unfortunatly it was not a very clear day I was there. You can come here just for a tea and narghile or to eat. I had lamb, sallad, bread and something to drink. With tip I paid 21 000 000 TL.

Everyone (or almost everyone) know about this cafe on the hill in Eyup with a magnificant view. Once this old Turkish coffee house was regulary frequented by the French writer Pierre Loti. Thats where the name come from.And he choose the nice place if you ask me, but don't take my word for it. Go check it for yourself! :)

Favorite Dish In a nice ambience everything taste good! :)

Oh, by the way...Don't be surprised to find out that it's surrounded by graves, or we can say its in the cemetery... So you have a chance to see a Turkish cemetery too! :) The grave of Turkish impressionist Avni Lifij is also here.

Grand Bazaar - Kapali Çarsi

In my first visit to Istanbul, I was taken to the bazaar - "this is the bazaar, let's enter, be careful not to get lost... let's go out... it's seen".
Things are better when you are on your own, when...

Galata Tower

Visible from far, this tower, built by Genoese in the 14Th century and still keeping its italian look, is now the place of a restaurant and, it seems, a "tourist trap".
Going up is expensive and the...